Folios 152-188: Correspondence regarding the coal depot at Labuan, with a brief overview...

Folios 152-188: Correspondence regarding the coal depot at Labuan, with a brief overview of the content provided (folio 152).

Encloses letter (folio 153): George O Willes, Vice Admiral, Commander-in-Chief, HMS Vigilant in the Inland Sea dated 4 November 1881 to the Secretary of the Admiralty, regarding that in anticipation that the HMS Audacious will become the next flagship of the China Station, 200 tons of coal from Labuan will be reduced to lay in stock for the use of the ship.

Encloses letter (folios 154-156): Admiralty (signed Robert Hall), dated 9 February 1882 to Vice Admiral Willes CB, China, in response to the previous letter that as the mines [at Labuan] are not yet in working order 400 to 800 tons of Patent Fuel has been directed to the island. A copy of a communication where this was made has been enclosed (folios 155-156).

Encloses letter (folios 157-163): P [Peter] Leys, Administrator, Government House, Labuan dated 2 August 1882 to His Excellency, G O Willes CB, Vice Admiral, forwarding a letter from the Harbour Master at Labuan (folios 159-163), outlining the current arrangements for the storage and supply of coal to HM vessels at Labuan. Mentions that the HMS Comus and HMS Magpie had to use their own boats for coaling and recommending the Harbour Master for future tasks on the matter.

Encloses letter (folio 164): George O Willes, Vice Admiral, Commander-in-Chief, HMS Iron Duke at Port Lagareff dated 30 August 1882 to His Honour, P Lays, Esquire, Administrator, Labuan, stating that the coal supplied will not need a built covering and if any contract for coaling in Labuan could be made.

Encloses letter (folio 165): P Leys, Administrator, Government House, Labuan dated 13 October 1882 to His Excellency, Vice Admiral George O Willes CB, Commander-in-Chief, China Station, stating that none of the Chinese are willing to take on a contract to coal HM ships with their lighters.

Encloses letter (folio 166): W H Cuming, Commodore, HMS Victor Emanuel at Hong Kong dated 24 November 1882 to Vice Admiral, George O Willes CB, Commander-in-Chief China Station, stating that no lighter can be supplied from Hong Kong and that no such boat is for sale in the colony.

Encloses letter (folio 167): George O Willes, Vice Admiral, Commander-in-Chief, HMS Iron Duke at Hong Kong dated 27 November 1882, forwarding correspondence regarding the supply of a lighter for coaling HM ships.

Encloses letter (folios 168-170): Rich [Richard] E Tracey, Captain, HMS Audacious at Hong Kong dated 11 January 1883 to Vice Admiral George O Willes CB, Commander-in-Chief, advising against the supply of a lighter for coaling at Labuan.

Encloses letter (folios 171-172): Admiralty (signed G. Tryon), dated 23 February 1883 to Vice Admiral Willes CB, China, asking for an opinion regarding the suggestions by Mr Hamilton to the storage of coal at Labuan.

Encloses letter (folios 173-174): George O Willes, Vice Admiral, Commander-in-Chief, HMS Audacious at Hong Kong dated 13 April 1883 to the Secretary of the Admiralty, suggesting that a basic coal depot at Labuan is necessary due to the distances travelled.

Encloses letter (folio 175): George O Willes, Vice Admiral, Commander-in-Chief, HMS Audacious at Hong Kong dated 12 March 1883 to His Honour, P Lays, Esquire, Administrator, Labuan, mentioning that coal storage will be made at Labuan even if not all of Hamilton's suggestions will be acted upon.

Encloses letter (folios 176-177): P Leys, Administrator, Government House, Labuan dated 31 May 1883 to His Excellency, G O Willes CB, Commander-in-Chief, China Station, regarding the coal storage at Labuan, commenting on the fact that the current coal pier is decayed.

Encloses letter (folio 178): Vice Admiral Willes, Commander-in-Chief, China, dated 30 June 1883 to the Secretary of the Admiralty, suggesting that HM ships at Labuan take on 1/2 Moara and 1/2 Patent Fuel as the reports on this combination from HMS Fly and HMS Foxhound have been favourable.

Encloses letter (folios 179-180): Admiralty (signed G Tryon), dated 3 July 1883 to Vice Admiral Willes CB, China, informing how to request and report the coal that is to be shipped to Labuan.

Encloses letter (folios 181-182): Admiralty (signed Robert Hall), dated 11 May 1881 to the Senior Naval Officer, HM Ships and Vessels, Strait of Malacca, outlining the forms needed for the acquiring and shipping of the coal.

Encloses letter (folio 183): George O Willes, Vice Admiral, Commander-in-Chief, HMS Audacious at Vladivostok dated 5 September 1883 to His Honour, P Lays, Esquire, Administrator, Labuan, forwarding the reporting instructions to Hamilton in Labuan.

Encloses letter (folios 184-185): P Leys, Administrator, Government Offices, Labuan dated 22 October 1883 to His Excellency, George O Willes CB, Vice Admiral, Commander-in-Chief, China Station, confirming Hamilton's willingness to forward the Returns to the Admiralty. As Hamilton will be on leave soon, the returns will be forwarded by a competent officer in his absence.

Encloses letter (folio 186): Admiralty, dated 18 June 1883 to Vice Admiral Willes CB, China, informing that the coal depot has been approved and 600 tonnes of patent fuel will be shipped in a month's time.

Encloses letter (folios 187-188): John Hope, Commander, HMS Fly at Labuan dated 31 October 1883 to the Senior Officer, Straits of Malacca, confirming Labuan's treasurer's willingness to supervise the Patent Fuel held at Labuan.